FOTA's Roadmap for the Future of F1

Posted on Thursday 05 Mar 2009 and tagged with corporate.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) today outlined its roadmap for Formula One at a press conference at which senior management figures from all 10 current Formula One teams shared the stage together.

Setting out its proposed agenda for the evolution of the sport, FOTA unveiled a dynamic package of unanimously agreed proposals which, pending the approval of the FIA, will take effect in 2009 and/or 2010.

These proposals are aimed at increasing the stability, sustainability, substance and show of Formula One, and have all been developed as a result of rigorous interrogation of a FOTA global audience survey carried out in 17 countries earlier this year. The study canvassed views of existing fans but also, for the first time, drew on insights from a cross-section of general and infrequent followers of the sport, in line with FOTA’s stated ambition to broaden as well as to deepen the appeal of Formula One.

The proposals can be classified under three headings – technical, sporting and commercial - in line with the three working groups inaugurated when FOTA was formed in September 2008. These proposals will ensure the retention of Formula One’s unique and essential sporting ‘DNA’, improve the show for all audiences, reduce costs, and increase the value proposition to the major stakeholders.

Luca di Montezemolo, Chairman of FOTA, said: "This is an unprecedented moment in Formula One history.  Above all else, for the first time the teams are unified and steadfast – with a clear, collective vision. Thanks to this unity, all the teams have already managed to make a significant reduction to their costs for 2009. And, while we will continue to compete vigorously on track, we all share one common goal: to work together to improve Formula One by ensuring its stability, sustainability, substance and show for the benefit of our most important stakeholder, namely the consumer.  It is with this mindset that we now intend to work hard, with our partners at the FIA and FOM, our shared goal being to optimise the future of Formula One."

KEY PROPOSALS

Technical
2009:
▪    More than 100% increase in mileage per engine (eight engines per driver per season)
▪    Reduction in wind tunnel and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) usage
▪    Engine available at €8 million per team per season

2010:
▪    Engine available at €5 million per team per season
▪    Gearbox available at €1.5 million per team per season
▪    Standardised KERS (put out to tender, with a target price of €1-2 million per team per season)
▪    Target a further 50% reduction of the 2009 aerodynamic development spend
▪    Specified number of chassis, bodywork and aerodynamic development iterations (homologations) during the season
▪    Prohibition of a wide range of exotic, metallic and composite materials
▪    Standardised telemetry and radio systems

Sporting
2009:
▪    Testing reduction (50%)
▪    New points-scoring system (12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1), to give greater differentiation/reward to grand prix winners
▪    Race starting fuel loads, tyre specifications and refuelling data to be made public

2010:
▪    Commitment to recommend new qualifying format
▪    Radical new points-scoring opportunities (eg, one constructors’ championship point to be awarded for the fastest race pit stop)
▪    Further testing reductions (four four-day single-car pre-season tests plus one single-car pre-season shakedown)
▪    Reduction of grand prix duration (250km or a maximum of one hour 40 minutes) pending the approval of the commercial rights holder

Commercial
2009:
▪    Increased data provision for media
▪    Explore means by which the presentation of Formula One action can be more informatively and dynamically presented, common to other sports such as tennis and cricket, to dramatically improve engagement with the public
▪    Nominated senior team spokesman available for TV during grand prix
▪    Commitment to enhance consumer experience via team and FOTA websites
▪    Mandatory driver autograph sessions during grand prix weekends

2010:
▪    Commitment to enhance consumer experience via TV coverage

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